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Top 24 for 2024

Jacqueline Chinwe Stephen


Future Energy Leader, World Energy Council

"Develop the confidence to embrace and own your unique perspective, experiences, and abilities as a future global ethnic-majority engineer. "

What is your greatest achievement in your career?


"My greatest achievement in my career is successfully transitioning into leading large infrastructure energy projects without a prior engineering background. As a Future Energy Leader of the World Energy Council, I utilized this adaptability and boldness to coach young professionals during an Innovation Hub challenge aimed at bringing clean energy solutions to rural African communities. By leading these initiatives, I not only demonstrated my commitment to bridging the technical skills gaps in the industry but also highlighted the importance of humanizing energy—making it more accessible to marginalized communities through technological development and innovative systems. Empowering youth engagement has been a crucial aspect of this process, as they represent the future of energy."



Who or what inspires you in your work?


“The not-for-profit organisation, Association for Black and Minority Engineers (AFBE-UK), profoundly inspires me with its mission to attract, retain, and progress talent from underrepresented groups in the engineering sector. Their commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we dedicate ourselves to uplifting others. Inspired by their work, I strive to go above and beyond my day-to-day responsibilities, seeking opportunities to enhance engineering through initiatives that directly and indirectly improve lives. The organisation's dedication motivates me to amplify the voices of those who may not be heard and to champion an equitable, and inclusive transition to net zero carbon emissions. Their example encourages me to pursue work that not only fulfills my professional duties but also drives meaningful change and creates a lasting positive impact in the industry.”

Please provide one piece of advice for future global ethnic-majority engineers.


“Develop the confidence to embrace and own your unique perspective, experiences, and abilities as a future global ethnic-majority engineer. Your diverse background brings valuable insights and innovation to the field, empowering you to drive meaningful change.”